Page 54 of Deadly Obsession
Okay, it wasn’t a sip. I gulped down the entire glass and refilled it to the brim.
I can’t be sober for this.
Chase slaps on that charming smile that most people fall for. Like my father. At our wedding reception, they talked sports and action movies and whatever else men find pleasure in.
It was all an act.
Chase hated sports.
He never watched movies with me.
“I’m actually running my own business.”
Chase’s spell doesn’t work on my mom, though. She raises a brow, waiting for him to elaborate.
“International shipping, mostly. I make sure my clients’ cargo is delivered on time and with no issues.”
My stomach sours and the green beans are threatening to make a reappearance.
“Hmm,” my mom says.
I hold my breath, waiting for her to ask him exactlywhathe ships, but thankfully she doesn’t.
However, she’s not done grilling us.
“So, are you two back together?”
“No,” I immediately bark out the same time Chase says, “yes.”
Mom startles at my outburst, her hand over her chest. I glance at my dad, and he’s peering over the top of the book he’s reading in one hand with a fork full of food in theother. He’s never been much to talk during family dinners. My mother is the outgoing one whereas my father would prefer quiet. He never voiced his dislike for Chase after the divorce, but Mom told me he was furious.
If only he knew how bad it was.
Chase’s hand falls to my leg, and he squeezes my thigh hard enough that I’m sure more bruises will be left.
“We’re not back together... yet,” he says through gritted teeth.
Before I can risk more bruises and vehemently deny that we aren’t, and never will be, getting back together, Chase’s phone rings.
He’s been getting calls all day, ever since I finally told him what went down at Lenetti’s dinner.
Since Chase already knew that the Empire and the QBM wanted to bring the Lords of Staten Island down, I told him they were planning to make their move soon. I didn’t know the exact date or the details of that plan, and thankfully Chase didn’t push me for that information.
He probably wants to warn the Lords so a gun fight can break out since his goal is to be New York City’s top crime boss.
If the Lords kill Carter and Lenetti, then that’s two mafias down for the count,he’d said.
I also remembered Noah talking about sex trafficking and lied about a shipment interception taking place this weekend. I didn’t say where or what was in the shipment.Chase was sent into full blown panic, and he’s been on the phone barking orders at people ever since. His reaction only confirms he’s dealing in something much worse than guns and drugs.
I have no doubt now that he was behind the sex trafficking rings the news has been reporting about lately. I just saw one was busted on Long Island the other day.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to take this call,” Chase says and leaves the table.
I should follow him. I may have lied about Elias busting a shipment, but if Chase really does have one coming in, I can find out where.
Then once Chase leaves, I’ll call Elias to tell himeverything.
I just hope he doesn't think I’m playing both sides.
